Robert S. Bartosiak

Robert "Bob” Bartosiak, 74, of Durham died February 23, 2025, at his home. He was born on January 11, 1951, in Middletown. He was son of the late Alfred Bartosiak and Anna (Satagaj) Bartosiak. He is survived by his wife Christine, his sister Gail and her husband George Blicharz of Cromwell and his nieces Kristin and her husband Robert Witherspoon, Kaitlyn and her husband Richard Siemers, Brittney and her husband Raymond Gilbert and their children. He also leaves behind his childhood friend Gary Faraci and good friend Rich Gurczynski. Bob’s constant companion Brady, a beautiful Labrador retriever was always at his side. Together they made many dog walking friends at White Farm.

Bob spent most of his life in Durham. He spent his career as a Market Development Manager for Global Plastics Manufacturer PolyOne. Bob was a proud graduate of Xavier High School (1969), and he went on to attend Fairfield University.  He enjoyed gardening, fishing, golf, as well as serving the Durham Fair Association for over 20 years. Bob was a certified as a UCONN Extension Master Gardener and enjoyed working with fellow Master Gardeners in restoring the gardens of Mercy by the Sea, and the Pollinator Garden at Meigs Point Nature Center. He had a beautiful garden filled with every seasonal vegetable that you can imagine. He collected much of this bounty and distributed to family, friends and to those in need in and out of his community.

Bob was a yearly participant in the Smilow Closer to Free fundraiser, since its inception. Last year he completed the 25-mile bike ride, despite his declining health. Each year he raised over a thousand dollars himself for Yale Cancer research. He is very grateful for the outstanding team of doctors, nurses and other professionals that cared for him at the Smilow Cancer Center in New Haven.

He was a devoted member of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Wallingford, where he served in various ministries of the church and was a Eucharistic Minister. He was a volunteer at the Wallingford soup kitchen.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church 65 North Street Wallingford, CT. on March 8, at 10:00 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Closer to Free Ride 2025, YNHH Office of Development, PO Box 1849, New Haven, CT. 06508. This goes 100% to cancer research.

Published in the Hartford Courant March 2, 2025